Continuous buffer cabinet hinge structure

ABSTRACT

A continuous buffer cabinet hinge structure utilized in various types of storage cabinets consisting of a hinge that provides for movable conjoinment between the cabinet body and the door panel in which an articulating arm and a mini-hydraulic member are respectively disposed on the two mounting plates of the hinge and, furthermore, the articulating arm and the hydraulic member plunger rod are interlinked. As such, when the door panel is opened or closed, since the mini-hydraulic member has buffering capability that enables stepless continuous movement, noise produced during contact is eliminated and the cabinet and the door panel are protected from impact damage at the areas of contact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The invention herein relates to a continuous buffer cabinet hingestructure, specifically a hinge that provides for movable conjoinmentbetween various types of cabinets and a door panels in which anarticulating arm and a mini-hydraulic member are respectively disposedon the two mounting plates of the hinge and, furthermore, thearticulating arm and the hydraulic member plunger rod are interlinked,providing for slowed movement when the door panel is opened or closedand thereby eliminating noise produced during contact and protecting thecabinet and the door panel from impact damage at the areas of contact.

2) Description of the Prior Art

Among the various types of articles storage cabinets now available, ahinge C is installed between the cabinet body A and the door panel Bthat enables opening for article removal or placement. In currentlyobserved hinges C, a mounting plate C1 and C2 are respectively installedonto the cabinet body A and the door panel B and, furthermore, anarticulating arm C3 and a spring C4 are also installed (as shown in FIG.1-A). As such, when the door panel B is opened or closed, the linkage ofthe articulating arm C3 and the spring C4 complete the operation (asshown in FIG. 1-B). However, users have discovered that resistancegeneration apparently begins when the articulating arm C3 and the springC4 operate, which is attributed to the gradual pulling of thearticulating arm C3 by the spring C4. Following considerable usage, lessmanual effort is involved to rapidly reach the opened or closed positionbecause the articulating arm C3 has already drawn the spring C into astretched state, following which the contraction of the spring C4 has anopposite effect to the extent that the door panel B manifestsinvoluntary operation. A very loud sound is produced upon impact whenthe door panel B swings back and strikes the cabinet body A, the soundoften startling the user and capable of frightening infants and youngchildren in the vicinity. In addition, long-term continued impactresults in damage to the door panel B and the cabinet body B at the areaof contact. Most adults think that there is simply nothing to remedy thesituation, but serious injury would result if a young child's fingerwere pinched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a result, the applicant of the invention herein, based on many yearsexperience gained while engaged in the related industry, successfullydeveloped the content of the present invention and submits it inapplication for patent rights.

The primary objective of the invention herein is to provide a continuousbuffer cabinet hinge structure, specifically a hinge that provides formovable conjoinment between the cabinet body and the door panel in whichthe two mounting plates of the hinge are utilized to respectivelydispose an articulating arm and a mini-hydraulic member that areinterlinked; as such, when the door panel is opened or closed, since themini-hydraulic member has buffering capability that enables steplesscontinuous movement, noise produced during contact is eliminated andprotection is provided Another objective of the invention herein is toprovide a continuous buffer cabinet hinge structure in which thearticulating arm in the cabinet can be lengthened and shortened,enabling a range of different contact positions of the door panelagainst the cabinet.

Yet another objective of the invention herein is to provide a continuousbuffer cabinet hinge structure in which the mini-hydraulic member has aspring additionally disposed inside for even more energy-savingoperation and utilization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1-A is an isometric drawing of the prior art structure when opened.

FIG. 1 -B is an isometric drawing of the prior art structure whenclosed.

FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of the invention herein, the structureinstalled into position.

FIG. 3 is an explode drawing of the invention herein.

FIG. 4-A is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein wheninstalled.

FIG. 4-B is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein, moved foradjustment in the installed position.

FIG. 5-A is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein in the fullyopen state.

FIG. 5-B is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein at thebeginning of the closed state.

FIG. 5-C is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein in thepartially closed state.

FIG. 5-D is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein followingclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the continuous buffer cabinet hingestructure of the invention herein is a hinge 1 that provides for movableconjoinment between a cabinet body A and a door panel B, wherein thehinge 1 mounting plates 11 and 12 are respectively juxtapositioned onthe cabinet body A and the door panel B, an adjustment slot 121 isformed in the said door panel B mounting plate 12, and after theplacement of a mini-hydraulic member 13, since the plate cover 14outside the mini-hydraulic member 13 has fastening tabs 141 with holes142 at its two sides, after two screws 15 are inserted, it is situatedin the mounting plate 12 adjustment slot 121 for movable adjustment asrequired (as shown in FIG. 4-A and FIG. 4-B), the mini-hydraulic member13 plunger rod 131 and one end of the plate cover 14 are eachrespectively linked to an articulating arm 16 and 17, and the oppositeextremities of the articulating arms 16 and 17 are linked into thecabinet body A mounting plate 11, wherein a torque spring 18 isinstalled in the articulating arm 17 to aid operation.

As such, when the door panel B is being closed and external force isapplied to the door panel B, since the mini-hydraulic member 13 hasbuffering capability, it steplessly slows the continuous movementtowards the cabinet A; the mini-hydraulic member 13 plunger rod 131 atthe door panel B does not operate when the door panel is fully open andremains inside the mini-hydraulic member 13 (as shown in FIG. 5-A); whenthe door panel B is subjected to manual outward force and opens towardsthe cabinet A, since the mini-hydraulic member 13 plunger rod 131 ismovably disposed, the mini-hydraulic member 13 plunger rod 131 alsobegins to extend (as shown in FIG. 5-B) and since the mini-hydraulicmember 13 has buffering capability, it steplessly slows movement towardsthe cabinet A (as shown in FIG. 5-C) until contact is silently andlightly made with the cabinet A (as shown in FIG. 5-D); as such, thesaid arrangement is a solution for the impact noise produced during theoperation of the prior art and, furthermore, since the invention hereinprotects the cabinet and the door panel B, damage from impact isprevented at the areas of contact.

Additionally, the lengthening and shortening of the articulating arm 17in the cabinet A enables a range of different contact positions of thedoor panel B against the cabinet A.

Furthermore, the mini-hydraulic member 13 can be substituted for by apneumatic approach and has spring additionally disposed inside for evenmore energy-saving operation and utilization.

In summation of the foregoing section, since the invention herein isdemonstrably functional, effectively improves the prior art problems,and thus meets the application requirements stipulated in Article 97 ofthe Patent Law, the present invention is submitted to the patent bureaufor review and the lawful granting of the commensurate patent rights.

1. A continuous buffer cabinet hinge structure is a hinge that provides for the movable conjoinment between a cabinet body and a door panel, wherein the mounting plates of the said hinge are respectively juxtapositioned on the said cabinet body and the said door panel, an adjustment slot is formed in the said door panel mounting plate, and after the placement of a mini-hydraulic member, since the plate cover outside the said mini-hydraulic member has fastening tabs with holes at its two sides, after two screws are inserted, it is situated in the said mounting plate adjustment slot for movable adjustment; and the plunger rod of the said mini-hydraulic member and one end of the plate cover are each respectively linked to an articulating arm, and the opposite extremities of the said articulating arms are linked into the said cabinet body mounting plate, wherein a torque spring is installed in the said articulating arm to aid operation; as such, when the said door panel is opened or closed, since the said mini-hydraulic member has buffering capability that enables stepless continuous movement, noise produced during contact is eliminated and the said cabinet and the said door panel are protected from impact damage at the areas of contact.
 2. As mentioned in claim 1 of the continuous buffer cabinet hinge structure of the invention herein, the said articulating arm in the said cabinet can be lengthened and shortened, enabling a range of different contact positions of the said door panel against the said cabinet.
 3. As mentioned in claim 1 of the continuous buffer cabinet hinge structure of the invention herein, the said mini-hydraulic member has a spring additionally disposed inside for even more energy-saving operation and utilization. 